By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

LA CROSSE — The only grocery store in Rush County is now closed, but local officials
are doing everything possible to find new owners to reopen the store as soon as
possible. 
The Rush County Grocery, in La Crosse, was forced to shut down Tuesday because
of back taxes. Owner Henry Montiel mentioned on the store’s social media
account that the State of Kansas forced the shutdown and seized all accounts for
failure to keep up with sales tax. 
Rush County Economic Development Administrator Brad Penka said having the
grocery store closed for the foreseeable future is a huge blow to the
community. 
"We're progressing, trying to help with the sale," said Penka. "This 
kind of hit me out of the blue so we're not sure how this is going to 
affect it. We want to get something open as soon as possible. It's a 
very viable store. It's very important to the community. We have a lot 
of older people in the community that can't go out of town." 
Montiel, a 1994 graduate of La Crosse High School, moved back to his hometown
in 2018 to manage the grocery store. Montiel and his wife took over ownership of
the store in July 2021.

The Rush County Grocery has been up for sale the last
couple of months, looking for new owners. 
"I already heard people say 'Why didn't someone do something to help?' " 
said Penka. "The tax situation is a whole different thing. That's 
outside of anything we can do. Our economic group helped with the store 
when it was sold a few years ago. We helped find an owner and we're 
hoping to do the same thing again."

On his social media post, Montiel apologized to patrons for the closure and thanked them for their support.

"Having
 a small business and trying to keep everything running and all the 
bills paid got the best of me..." Montiel stated in the post. "... That's
 the reason I put the store up for sale was to let someone else with 
better knowledge and better business sense to come in and take over." 
Penka added there has been interest from a few potential owners to take over
the store on Main Street, and county officials are looking to reopen the store
as soon as possible. 
If interested in owning the grocery store, residents can call Rush County
Economic Development at 785-222-2808.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662039497857.jpeg" alt="The State of Kansas forced the Rush County Grocery to close Aug. 30, 2022 due to "failure to keep up on sales tax."" />
 <figcaption>The State of Kansas forced the Rush County Grocery to close Aug. 30, 2022 due to "failure to keep up on sales tax."</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostLA CROSSE — The only grocery store in Rush County is now closed, but local officials
are doing everything possible to find new owners to reopen the store as soon as
possible. 
The Rush County Grocery, in La Crosse, was forced to shut down Tuesday because
of back taxes. Owner Henry Montiel mentioned on the store’s social media
account that the State of Kansas forced the shutdown and seized all accounts for
failure to keep up with sales tax. 
Rush County Economic Development Administrator Brad Penka said having the
grocery store closed for the foreseeable future is a huge blow to the
community. 
"We're progressing, trying to help with the sale," said Penka. "This 
kind of hit me out of the blue so we're not sure how this is going to 
affect it. We want to get something open as soon as possible. It's a 
very viable store. It's very important to the community. We have a lot 
of older people in the community that can't go out of town." 
Montiel, a 1994 graduate of La Crosse High School, moved back to his hometown
in 2018 to manage the grocery store. Montiel and his wife took over ownership of
the store in July 2021. The Rush County Grocery has been up for sale the last
couple of months, looking for new owners. 
"I already heard people say 'Why didn't someone do something to help?' " 
said Penka. "The tax situation is a whole different thing. That's 
outside of anything we can do. Our economic group helped with the store 
when it was sold a few years ago. We helped find an owner and we're 
hoping to do the same thing again."On his social media post, Montiel apologized to patrons for the closure and thanked them for their support."Having
 a small business and trying to keep everything running and all the 
bills paid got the best of me..." Montiel stated in the post. "... That's
 the reason I put the store up for sale was to let someone else with 
better knowledge and better business sense to come in and take over." 
Penka added there has been interest from a few potential owners to take over
the store on Main Street, and county officials are looking to reopen the store
as soon as possible. 
If interested in owning the grocery store, residents can call Rush County
Economic Development at 785-222-2808.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

State forces closure of Rush County’s only grocery store

Student Awareness Day will be hosted by the Fort Hays State University Foundation on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in FHSU’s Robbins Center. Awareness Day is an annual event aimed at educating current Tigers about the importance of private support and fundraising.&nbsp;

Students attending will be eligible for one of six scholarships for use in the spring 2023 semester. Students will be entered to receive one of four $250 scholarships and one $1,000 scholarship just for attending. Students wearing FHSU apparel will receive an extra entry.&nbsp;

Students who share photos on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with the hashtag #AwarenessDay throughout the event will be entered to receive an additional $500 scholarship.&nbsp;

“Thank you to Astra Bank for continuing their sponsorship of this event. Awareness Day serves as a great opportunity for us to educate our students and bring awareness to the generosity of private support that Fort Hays State receives,” said Ricardo Zamora, FHSU’s Director of Annual Giving.

The first 150 students in attendance at this event will receive a free t-shirt. All students attending will enjoy a free lunch.&nbsp;

To learn more about the FHSU Foundation, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtDSAKvxVcchtfV1543l0KplRVHI6wIvAI1UNlDDqG-2By8Sihh_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lE6mcAzErX0FzZi5JGU6rvvK6MLOuHK4jhl5V61fmGkhToZRMbpEKBDAFMZ0jElT3tJmz7vmG2Oh1wrxpMGOIem1t2Tzjfkc7U3uRjO6NIjT2C6qSOub-2BLfdXRLEjTDsupH0s0B4ZkedVr3H2Ly1yTQ1hkBZw6TJqKItHLlrDb5tTn6gozczLRKRPTeGe8K95DL-2FfJEz-2BekP7BGuSIVi8mr4MnONRtkrn5zhdomsvBQnTNWRjWe0KJXSeMbTI6ZK0N7QIZygZE4xJuvfMiTWpDrU6uUWItjAkEbDZUfFixo3ihHO9GfnfYB8l0Xdnz6FOItxTsvBnbZmwBsrS2-2FahGgaY4ECSMHxc6kzEVAEuiGxQ-3D-3D">https://foundation.fhsu.edu.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661877988357.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU Foundation&nbsp;Student Awareness Day will be hosted by the Fort Hays State University Foundation on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in FHSU’s Robbins Center. Awareness Day is an annual event aimed at educating current Tigers about the importance of private support and fundraising.&nbsp;Students attending will be eligible for one of six scholarships for use in the spring 2023 semester. Students will be entered to receive one of four $250 scholarships and one $1,000 scholarship just for attending. Students wearing FHSU apparel will receive an extra entry.&nbsp;Students who share photos on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with the hashtag #AwarenessDay throughout the event will be entered to receive an additional $500 scholarship.&nbsp;“Thank you to Astra Bank for continuing their sponsorship of this event. Awareness Day serves as a great opportunity for us to educate our students and bring awareness to the generosity of private support that Fort Hays State receives,” said Ricardo Zamora, FHSU’s Director of Annual Giving.The first 150 students in attendance at this event will receive a free t-shirt. All students attending will enjoy a free lunch.&nbsp;To learn more about the FHSU Foundation, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtDSAKvxVcchtfV1543l0KplRVHI6wIvAI1UNlDDqG-2By8Sihh_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lE6mcAzErX0FzZi5JGU6rvvK6MLOuHK4jhl5V61fmGkhToZRMbpEKBDAFMZ0jElT3tJmz7vmG2Oh1wrxpMGOIem1t2Tzjfkc7U3uRjO6NIjT2C6qSOub-2BLfdXRLEjTDsupH0s0B4ZkedVr3H2Ly1yTQ1hkBZw6TJqKItHLlrDb5tTn6gozczLRKRPTeGe8K95DL-2FfJEz-2BekP7BGuSIVi8mr4MnONRtkrn5zhdomsvBQnTNWRjWe0KJXSeMbTI6ZK0N7QIZygZE4xJuvfMiTWpDrU6uUWItjAkEbDZUfFixo3ihHO9GfnfYB8l0Xdnz6FOItxTsvBnbZmwBsrS2-2FahGgaY4ECSMHxc6kzEVAEuiGxQ-3D-3D">https://foundation.fhsu.edu.</a>

FHSU Foundation to award scholarships at Student Awareness Day

Medicaid members get $10 in fresh produce at local markets&nbsp;

LENEXA — As part of its ongoing commitment to creating health equity and fighting food insecurity, Sunflower Health Plan is again sponsoring its Member Days this summer at local farmers markets to help its members across Kansas afford fresh fruits and vegetables.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sunflower Member Days will benefit people who have Medicaid coverage through Sunflower. Shoppers will receive $10 in vouchers they can use to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables on the day of the market.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Over the past year, it has become more difficult for families to put nutritious food on their tables, and that can have a big impact on overall health,” said Dr. Michael Skoch, Sunflower’s Chief Medical Director. “Sunflower Member Days will provide support to families who need it, helping them access vitally important fresh fruit and vegetables.”&nbsp;

According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/kansas#:~:text=In%20Kansas%2C%20351%2C090%20people%20are,of%20them%20120%2C090%20are%20children.&amp;text=face%20hunger.,to%20meet%20their%20food%20needs." target="_blank">Feeding America</a>, more than 350,000 Kansans are facing hunger – approximately 120,000 of them children. Meanwhile, in fiscal year 2021, SNAP reached&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbpp.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/snap_factsheet_kansas.pdf" target="_blank">200,300 Kansas residents</a>&nbsp;- 1 in 15 people in the state – and almost 72% of SNAP participants were families with children.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The farmers market initiative is part of Sunflower’s commitment to addressing social determinants of health – issues such as food insecurity and lack of transportation or housing – that can serve as barriers to better overall health. In response, Sunflower Member Days will help members afford healthier food options, promote healthy eating habits, and support local growers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sunflower Member Days launched June 21 in Salina, Kansas, and run through Sept. 24, with the final event slated for Garden City, Kansas.&nbsp;

The Hays event will be 7:30 to 11 a.m. Sept. 3 at the Downtown Hays Farmers Market, 10th and Main.

<h2>Medicaid members get $10 in fresh produce at local markets&nbsp;</h2>News releaseLENEXA — As part of its ongoing commitment to creating health equity and fighting food insecurity, Sunflower Health Plan is again sponsoring its Member Days this summer at local farmers markets to help its members across Kansas afford fresh fruits and vegetables.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sunflower Member Days will benefit people who have Medicaid coverage through Sunflower. Shoppers will receive $10 in vouchers they can use to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables on the day of the market.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Over the past year, it has become more difficult for families to put nutritious food on their tables, and that can have a big impact on overall health,” said Dr. Michael Skoch, Sunflower’s Chief Medical Director. “Sunflower Member Days will provide support to families who need it, helping them access vitally important fresh fruit and vegetables.”&nbsp;According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/kansas#:~:text=In%20Kansas%2C%20351%2C090%20people%20are,of%20them%20120%2C090%20are%20children.&amp;text=face%20hunger.,to%20meet%20their%20food%20needs." target="_blank">Feeding America</a>, more than 350,000 Kansans are facing hunger – approximately 120,000 of them children. Meanwhile, in fiscal year 2021, SNAP reached&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbpp.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/snap_factsheet_kansas.pdf" target="_blank">200,300 Kansas residents</a>&nbsp;- 1 in 15 people in the state – and almost 72% of SNAP participants were families with children.&nbsp;&nbsp;The farmers market initiative is part of Sunflower’s commitment to addressing social determinants of health – issues such as food insecurity and lack of transportation or housing – that can serve as barriers to better overall health. In response, Sunflower Member Days will help members afford healthier food options, promote healthy eating habits, and support local growers.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sunflower Member Days launched June 21 in Salina, Kansas, and run through Sept. 24, with the final event slated for Garden City, Kansas.&nbsp;The Hays event will be 7:30 to 11 a.m. Sept. 3 at the Downtown Hays Farmers Market, 10th and Main.

Sunflower Health Plan announces member day at Hays farmers market

Just prior to the beginning of each academic year,&nbsp;Fort Hays State University&nbsp;hosts&nbsp;a convocation. We use this annual gathering to look back on our achievements, welcome new faculty and staff, discuss important campus-wide projects and programs, and provide an overview of the state of the university. We also close the ceremony with what I think is the most inspiring thing we do to kick off the new academic year&nbsp;-&nbsp;we honor outstanding faculty.&nbsp;

<a></a>Traditionally&nbsp;we&nbsp;recognize faculty in three award categories during our fall convocation. The first is the Faculty Member of the Year award. The second is the John Heinrichs Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor, and the third is the President’s Distinguished Scholar Award.&nbsp;

<a></a>The&nbsp;Faculty Member of the Year&nbsp;selection process examines&nbsp;the past year’s recipients of faculty awards for teaching, research and scholarly activity, and service.&nbsp;<a></a>This year, the award was presented to Associate Professor of Physics Dr. C.D. Clark.

<a></a>C.D. is known across this campus as a skilled problem solver and innovator in areas beyond his discipline, including&nbsp;work on&nbsp;delivering&nbsp;a high-quality educational experience for FHSU online learners. In the nomination letter submitted on C.D.’s behalf for this award, a colleague noted that while many initially rejected the idea of delivering laboratory courses online,&nbsp;C.D.&nbsp;rose to the challenge by developing the Engineering Physics II Lab as an&nbsp;online offering. C.D.’s course shifted the focus from using lab equipment to using open-source (free) analysis software widely used by scientists.

<a></a>C.D. is simply an indispensable member of this campus community. He is a highly respected and inspirational teacher and mentor to his students. All of our professors are asked to teach, conduct research, and serve in roles that advance our campus community. Few excel in these three roles better than C.D. Clark.&nbsp;

<a></a>The&nbsp;John Heinrichs Outstanding Research Mentor Award&nbsp;recognizes a faculty member for their commitment, time, and energy in promoting undergraduate research. The award is named after our esteemed former colleague, Dr. John Heinrichs, who was active in all research areas.

This year’s&nbsp;John Heinrichs Outstanding Research Mentor&nbsp;is Dr. Jeanne Sumrall.&nbsp;

An instructor in the Department of Geosciences and the Kansas Academy of Math and Science (KAMS), our two-year pre-college program for high school juniors and seniors, Jeanne&nbsp;is committed to supporting and mentoring students through the undergraduate research process.&nbsp;

<a></a>Her personal investment in her students’ growth is evidenced in their letters of support for her nomination. One student wrote: “Not only does Dr. Sumrall care immensely about promoting undergraduate projects for her students, but she also follows through as she engages with us and encourages a lifetime love of research.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a></a>Another student who submitted a nomination&nbsp;for this award noted how&nbsp;Jeanne&nbsp;allowed&nbsp;her&nbsp;totake the lead in directing projects by creating just the right balance between support and independence.&nbsp;

<a></a>The final award presented at our fall convocation was the 2022&nbsp;President’s Distinguished Scholar. This year, the award went to Dr. April Terry, associate professor of criminal justice.&nbsp;

April’s research focuses on issues critical to ensuring we are constantly striving to create a just and equitable society, including the areas of gender and crime, juvenile corrections, gender-based violence, and rural criminology. She&nbsp;has quickly&nbsp;become&nbsp;a widely respected expert&nbsp;in her field and serves on a number of boards and committees that focus on issues of crime and punishment.&nbsp;She has published eight book chapters, a remarkable 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, nine technical reports, and more than 100 presentations, with 48 including student researchers.

If you have read the news over the past several years, you know that seismic changes are coming to higher education. One thing that will never change at FHSU is our focus on core values&nbsp;-&nbsp;knowledge and scholarship, innovation and entrepreneurship, and global engagement.&nbsp;<a></a>These values guide us, shape us, and influence how we work together to create an unmatched educational experience for our students.&nbsp;

Not a day goes by that I am not reminded of the remarkable people who make this university a special place. Our fall convocation award winners&nbsp;are another reminder of something that makes me proud to serve as the president of Fort Hays State University.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575302014229.png" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president</figcaption>
 </figure>Just prior to the beginning of each academic year,&nbsp;Fort Hays State University&nbsp;hosts&nbsp;a convocation. We use this annual gathering to look back on our achievements, welcome new faculty and staff, discuss important campus-wide projects and programs, and provide an overview of the state of the university. We also close the ceremony with what I think is the most inspiring thing we do to kick off the new academic year&nbsp;-&nbsp;we honor outstanding faculty.&nbsp;<a></a>Traditionally&nbsp;we&nbsp;recognize faculty in three award categories during our fall convocation. The first is the Faculty Member of the Year award. The second is the John Heinrichs Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor, and the third is the President’s Distinguished Scholar Award.&nbsp;<a></a>The&nbsp;Faculty Member of the Year&nbsp;selection process examines&nbsp;the past year’s recipients of faculty awards for teaching, research and scholarly activity, and service.&nbsp;<a></a>This year, the award was presented to Associate Professor of Physics Dr. C.D. Clark.<a></a>C.D. is known across this campus as a skilled problem solver and innovator in areas beyond his discipline, including&nbsp;work on&nbsp;delivering&nbsp;a high-quality educational experience for FHSU online learners. In the nomination letter submitted on C.D.’s behalf for this award, a colleague noted that while many initially rejected the idea of delivering laboratory courses online,&nbsp;C.D.&nbsp;rose to the challenge by developing the Engineering Physics II Lab as an&nbsp;online offering. C.D.’s course shifted the focus from using lab equipment to using open-source (free) analysis software widely used by scientists.<a></a>C.D. is simply an indispensable member of this campus community. He is a highly respected and inspirational teacher and mentor to his students. All of our professors are asked to teach, conduct research, and serve in roles that advance our campus community. Few excel in these three roles better than C.D. Clark.&nbsp;<a></a>The&nbsp;John Heinrichs Outstanding Research Mentor Award&nbsp;recognizes a faculty member for their commitment, time, and energy in promoting undergraduate research. The award is named after our esteemed former colleague, Dr. John Heinrichs, who was active in all research areas.This year’s&nbsp;John Heinrichs Outstanding Research Mentor&nbsp;is Dr. Jeanne Sumrall.&nbsp;An instructor in the Department of Geosciences and the Kansas Academy of Math and Science (KAMS), our two-year pre-college program for high school juniors and seniors, Jeanne&nbsp;is committed to supporting and mentoring students through the undergraduate research process.&nbsp;<a></a>Her personal investment in her students’ growth is evidenced in their letters of support for her nomination. One student wrote: “Not only does Dr. Sumrall care immensely about promoting undergraduate projects for her students, but she also follows through as she engages with us and encourages a lifetime love of research.”&nbsp;&nbsp;<a></a>Another student who submitted a nomination&nbsp;for this award noted how&nbsp;Jeanne&nbsp;allowed&nbsp;her&nbsp;totake the lead in directing projects by creating just the right balance between support and independence.&nbsp;<a></a>The final award presented at our fall convocation was the 2022&nbsp;President’s Distinguished Scholar. This year, the award went to Dr. April Terry, associate professor of criminal justice.&nbsp;April’s research focuses on issues critical to ensuring we are constantly striving to create a just and equitable society, including the areas of gender and crime, juvenile corrections, gender-based violence, and rural criminology. She&nbsp;has quickly&nbsp;become&nbsp;a widely respected expert&nbsp;in her field and serves on a number of boards and committees that focus on issues of crime and punishment.&nbsp;She has published eight book chapters, a remarkable 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, nine technical reports, and more than 100 presentations, with 48 including student researchers.If you have read the news over the past several years, you know that seismic changes are coming to higher education. One thing that will never change at FHSU is our focus on core values&nbsp;-&nbsp;knowledge and scholarship, innovation and entrepreneurship, and global engagement.&nbsp;<a></a>These values guide us, shape us, and influence how we work together to create an unmatched educational experience for our students.&nbsp;Not a day goes by that I am not reminded of the remarkable people who make this university a special place. Our fall convocation award winners&nbsp;are another reminder of something that makes me proud to serve as the president of Fort Hays State University.&nbsp;

Heart of a Tiger: Celebrating exceptional faculty at convocation

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast click here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661969735182.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

Applications are still open for employers in northwest Kansas interested in a Fort Hays State University spring or summer intern.

Thanks to a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, funding was made possible for 25 paid internships during the 2022-23 academic year, including the summer 2023 term.

Applications for spring and summer interns will be accepted through Sept. 16.

Eligible employers must be located within the Hansen Foundation’s 26-county service area: the block of counties stretching from the Cheyenne-Wallace County east, including the Republic-Saline County area and Ellsworth County.

Interested employers should go to the <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/career/employers/hansen-internship-program">Career Services page on the FHSU website</a> to learn more about the program and complete the application. Employers will be asked to provide a detailed job description for the internship.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661892058683.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University CommunicationsApplications are still open for employers in northwest Kansas interested in a Fort Hays State University spring or summer intern.Thanks to a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, funding was made possible for 25 paid internships during the 2022-23 academic year, including the summer 2023 term.Applications for spring and summer interns will be accepted through Sept. 16.Eligible employers must be located within the Hansen Foundation’s 26-county service area: the block of counties stretching from the Cheyenne-Wallace County east, including the Republic-Saline County area and Ellsworth County.Interested employers should go to the <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/career/employers/hansen-internship-program">Career Services page on the FHSU website</a> to learn more about the program and complete the application. Employers will be asked to provide a detailed job description for the internship.

Employer applications deadline for Hansen internship nears

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

The athletic accomplishments coming out of Claflin from 1994 to 1997 remain unmatched in the state history books. In that stretch, Jackie Stiles set single game, season, and career basketball scoring records that stand to this day. On the track, her 14 individual gold medals remain an all-time best in Kansas. 

In 2002, Stiles' rise to the WNBA was detailed in a children's book called "Jackie Stiles: Gym Dandy." Earlier this year, actor, director and filmmaker Brent Huff took the story of her life a step farther. On March 1, his documentary "The Jackie Stiles Story" premiered in Springfield, Mo., where Stiles once set the NCAA scoring record for the Southwest Missouri State-turned Missouri State Bears. As of Aug. 30, the film is available on several streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime and Apple TV. 

Stiles first heard from Huff out of the blue approximately three years ago. She was skeptical about the project at first.

"He sent me some things he'd done," Stiles said. "He'd done a 30-for-30 and I was very impressed. Then when he came and did his first interview with me, which was in Springfield, I was just getting ready to leave my job at Missouri State to take my job at Oklahoma, so it was a crazy time. We sat down and did our first interview. I knew right away my story was in good hands because he knew more about my life than I even knew."

Stiles helped Huff get in touch with former coaches and acquaintances, including Clint Kinnamon, who coached Stiles for three varsity seasons in Claflin before going on to win several state titles at St. John, and Gregg Webb, Stiles' coach her senior season.

The film features many of the stories that gave Stiles legend-status in the sports world, and it features footage of her years in Claflin, Missouri, and playing for the WNBA's Portland Fire.

"It was so fun being a part of the making of the film because I got to relive so many of those memories," she said. "It actually premiered March 1, and that was actually when I broke the record a lot of years ago. I had not seen it yet. He wanted to surprise me, so I got to see it when the public saw it in Springfield. Talk about nerve wracking to watch your life on the big screen. 

"I was blown away by his work and it was fun reliving those memories. It was just an incredible moment getting to share it with so many people that made it possible. You don't accomplish something like that unless you had incredible people surrounding you, and I've been fortunate to have that my whole career."

Stiles became the first NCAA Div. I women's player to reach 1,000 points in a single season, also setting the career scoring record with 3,393 points, a record that stood for 16 years. Stiles later earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661888338642.jpeg" alt="Jackie Stiles spoke at a Barton Community College event on Aug. 29, 2022." />
 <figcaption>Jackie Stiles spoke at a Barton Community College event on Aug. 29, 2022.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThe athletic accomplishments coming out of Claflin from 1994 to 1997 remain unmatched in the state history books. In that stretch, Jackie Stiles set single game, season, and career basketball scoring records that stand to this day. On the track, her 14 individual gold medals remain an all-time best in Kansas. In 2002, Stiles' rise to the WNBA was detailed in a children's book called "Jackie Stiles: Gym Dandy." Earlier this year, actor, director and filmmaker Brent Huff took the story of her life a step farther. On March 1, his documentary "The Jackie Stiles Story" premiered in Springfield, Mo., where Stiles once set the NCAA scoring record for the Southwest Missouri State-turned Missouri State Bears. As of Aug. 30, the film is available on several streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime and Apple TV. Stiles first heard from Huff out of the blue approximately three years ago. She was skeptical about the project at first."He sent me some things he'd done," Stiles said. "He'd done a 30-for-30 and I was very impressed. Then when he came and did his first interview with me, which was in Springfield, I was just getting ready to leave my job at Missouri State to take my job at Oklahoma, so it was a crazy time. We sat down and did our first interview. I knew right away my story was in good hands because he knew more about my life than I even knew."Stiles helped Huff get in touch with former coaches and acquaintances, including Clint Kinnamon, who coached Stiles for three varsity seasons in Claflin before going on to win several state titles at St. John, and Gregg Webb, Stiles' coach her senior season.The film features many of the stories that gave Stiles legend-status in the sports world, and it features footage of her years in Claflin, Missouri, and playing for the WNBA's Portland Fire."It was so fun being a part of the making of the film because I got to relive so many of those memories," she said. "It actually premiered March 1, and that was actually when I broke the record a lot of years ago. I had not seen it yet. He wanted to surprise me, so I got to see it when the public saw it in Springfield. Talk about nerve wracking to watch your life on the big screen. "I was blown away by his work and it was fun reliving those memories. It was just an incredible moment getting to share it with so many people that made it possible. You don't accomplish something like that unless you had incredible people surrounding you, and I've been fortunate to have that my whole career."Stiles became the first NCAA Div. I women's player to reach 1,000 points in a single season, also setting the career scoring record with 3,393 points, a record that stood for 16 years. Stiles later earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors.

'Jackie Stiles Story' now available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday reported 67 new COVID-19 cases had been identified in Ellis County from Aug. 20 to 26. KDHE reports updated case numbers weekly on Wednesdays.

Ellis County is along several northwest Kansas counties in the high- or substantial-incidence classification (see map below).&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/97/Health">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

Since reporting began, there have been 7,725 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661968015491.png" alt="Ellis County COVID-19 curve / KDHE" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County COVID-19 curve / KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday reported 67 new COVID-19 cases had been identified in Ellis County from Aug. 20 to 26. KDHE reports updated case numbers weekly on Wednesdays.Ellis County is along several northwest Kansas counties in the high- or substantial-incidence classification (see map below).&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/97/Health">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.Since reporting began, there have been 7,725 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661968044141.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: 67 new COVID cases in Ellis Co. this reporting period

NORTON COUNTY—A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. Wednesday in Norton County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Freightliner semi driven by Larry Eugene Radcliffe, 67, Hill City, was southbound on W6 Lane at Washington Road in Lenora.

The driver failed to yield right of way and struck an eastbound 2005 GMC Canyon driven by Peggy Sue&nbsp;Ninemire, 59, Lenora, on the drivers side.

EMS transported&nbsp;Ninemire to the hospital in Norton. Radcliffe was not injured.&nbsp;Ninemire was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

NORTON COUNTY—A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. Wednesday in Norton County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Freightliner semi driven by Larry Eugene Radcliffe, 67, Hill City, was southbound on W6 Lane at Washington Road in Lenora.The driver failed to yield right of way and struck an eastbound 2005 GMC Canyon driven by Peggy Sue&nbsp;Ninemire, 59, Lenora, on the drivers side.EMS transported&nbsp;Ninemire to the hospital in Norton. Radcliffe was not injured.&nbsp;Ninemire was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

NW Kansas woman hospitalized after semi,  pickup crash

By MIKE COURSON <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>

GREAT BEND — Recent rainfall will help a little but not much. 

The state 
continues to suffer through a drought with now 72 percent of Kansas 
listed in at least a moderate drought, 57 percent at a severe level, and
 32 percent in extreme conditions. Ten percent of the state, mostly in 
the southwest, is listed at exceptional drought.

Last week, the 
National Weather Service reported the 1.10 inches of rain in Wichita 
through July and August were the third-least since 1888. The 1.08 inches
 during that span in Sedan, located in the southeast part of the state, 
is the lowest on record. Closer to home, Russell reported 2.10 inches in
 July and August, the least on record since 1950. Kansas State 
University's Mesonet reports 12.25 inches of rainfall this year in Great
 Bend, nine inches shy of normal year. According to agronomists at 
K-State, before the recent rains, August was the third driest on record 
behind 2000 and 1913.

The conditions are impacting virtually all 
plants in the state. Alicia Boor, agriculture and natural resources 
agent in the Cottonwood District for K-State Research, said trees are 
usually easy to forget. But try pushing a shovel into the dry dirt, and 
that's also what trees are up against to survive.

"The root 
systems, those very end roots that are there as a feed root trying to 
get the nutrients, it can't push through the soil either," she said. 
"They tend to die back, compromising the root system and making your 
tree weaker."

Boor said, like any other plant, trees need water. 
Keeping trees healthy now can prevent damage even after drought 
conditions end.

"By watering trees a good 12-18 inches deep in 
this massive heat, every other week or every three weeks, is a really 
good way to keep your tree healthy so other things don't come in like 
borers and diseases," she said.  "That can then take out the tree maybe 
not this year but in a couple years because it's still stressed over 
what is happening now."

Crops have also been affected by the 
conditions, especially those not irrigated. Milo and corn are dying in 
the field, and wheat took a hit but largely survived ahead of the 2022 
harvest this summer. Conditions now could have an effect on the 2023 
crop.

"This year, one of the issues we're seeing is some milo is 
not putting heads out," Boor said. "It doesn't have enough water to even
 get to the stage where it's putting out the seeds the producers can 
harvest. Other portions, a lot of corn was cut for sileage early because
 there wasn't enough of an ear to be able to make the bushels of grain 
they needed."

While plants suffer, certain insects thrive in 
drought conditions, including aphids and grasshoppers. Boor said the 
grasshoppers are out there but she's received no complaints about them 
being worse than usual. Damage from elm leaf beetles has been abundant 
but can be reduced with proper tree care.

"Elm leaf beetles are a 
yearly occurrence and this year just seems to be worse," said Boor. 
"That could be just because there's not as much leaf matter out there. 
The trees drop what they can't support. In a severe drought, they're not
 going to push out as many leaves. We're just seeing it look worse. It 
goes back to keeping them well cared for, then the elm leaf beetle is 
not as big of a deal."

The bad news: scientists are already 
warning the drought will likely continue through 2023.&nbsp;"There are a 
couple different options that might help alleviate it," Boor said, "but 
most signs are pointing that we're going to stay in this drought for a 
little bit longer."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661961378384.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>GREAT BEND — Recent rainfall will help a little but not much. The state 
continues to suffer through a drought with now 72 percent of Kansas 
listed in at least a moderate drought, 57 percent at a severe level, and
 32 percent in extreme conditions. Ten percent of the state, mostly in 
the southwest, is listed at exceptional drought.Last week, the 
National Weather Service reported the 1.10 inches of rain in Wichita 
through July and August were the third-least since 1888. The 1.08 inches
 during that span in Sedan, located in the southeast part of the state, 
is the lowest on record. Closer to home, Russell reported 2.10 inches in
 July and August, the least on record since 1950. Kansas State 
University's Mesonet reports 12.25 inches of rainfall this year in Great
 Bend, nine inches shy of normal year. According to agronomists at 
K-State, before the recent rains, August was the third driest on record 
behind 2000 and 1913.The conditions are impacting virtually all 
plants in the state. Alicia Boor, agriculture and natural resources 
agent in the Cottonwood District for K-State Research, said trees are 
usually easy to forget. But try pushing a shovel into the dry dirt, and 
that's also what trees are up against to survive."The root 
systems, those very end roots that are there as a feed root trying to 
get the nutrients, it can't push through the soil either," she said. 
"They tend to die back, compromising the root system and making your 
tree weaker."Boor said, like any other plant, trees need water. 
Keeping trees healthy now can prevent damage even after drought 
conditions end."By watering trees a good 12-18 inches deep in 
this massive heat, every other week or every three weeks, is a really 
good way to keep your tree healthy so other things don't come in like 
borers and diseases," she said. "That can then take out the tree maybe 
not this year but in a couple years because it's still stressed over 
what is happening now."Crops have also been affected by the 
conditions, especially those not irrigated. Milo and corn are dying in 
the field, and wheat took a hit but largely survived ahead of the 2022 
harvest this summer. Conditions now could have an effect on the 2023 
crop."This year, one of the issues we're seeing is some milo is 
not putting heads out," Boor said. "It doesn't have enough water to even
 get to the stage where it's putting out the seeds the producers can 
harvest. Other portions, a lot of corn was cut for sileage early because
 there wasn't enough of an ear to be able to make the bushels of grain 
they needed."While plants suffer, certain insects thrive in 
drought conditions, including aphids and grasshoppers. Boor said the 
grasshoppers are out there but she's received no complaints about them 
being worse than usual. Damage from elm leaf beetles has been abundant 
but can be reduced with proper tree care."Elm leaf beetles are a 
yearly occurrence and this year just seems to be worse," said Boor. 
"That could be just because there's not as much leaf matter out there. 
The trees drop what they can't support. In a severe drought, they're not
 going to push out as many leaves. We're just seeing it look worse. It 
goes back to keeping them well cared for, then the elm leaf beetle is 
not as big of a deal."The bad news: scientists are already 
warning the drought will likely continue through 2023.&nbsp;"There are a 
couple different options that might help alleviate it," Boor said, "but 
most signs are pointing that we're going to stay in this drought for a 
little bit longer."

Extension agent: Drought conditions impacting plant, insect life

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

A new logo, a new home, and a new fundraising campaign.

It's been a busy summer for the United Way of Ellis County which kicked off its 2022 campaign Friday during a Hays Chamber lunch at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall in Hays.

On Tuesday, the United Way offices moved from the Hadley Center to the Chestnut Street Building, 1200 Main. United Way will be housed in Suite 102, near the offices for other local non-profit organizations including Heartland Community Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Downtown Hays Development Corporation.

In early July, the new local logo designed by&nbsp;Brandon Karlin was unveiled and is included in the campaign marketing information.&nbsp;

During the kickoff lunch, several Ellis County residents whose lives have been changed with support from Big Brothers Big Sisters, First Call for Help, and Cancer Council of Ellis County, told their uplifting stories.

Justine is a client of First Call for Help and a resident of <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f4275259-f0d0-4be5-a159-5b7f0dd64e43">First Step Housing.</a>

The housing for temporary residents is in the back of the FCFH office building, 607 E. 13th.

There are four bedrooms with private bathrooms, and a shared living area, kitchen and laundry.&nbsp;&nbsp;

With FCFH director Linda Mills by her side, Justine talked about her journey from jail and the loss of all her possessions to now being employed, paying fines, and saving money to buy a vehicle.&nbsp;

"First Step was my first break," Justine told the audience," and I couldn't have been more thankful.&nbsp; It's the perfect place for me to start over in my own hometown.

"A few months ago I had nothing but the clothes on my back and the shoes on my feet. I'm now currently making more than $20 dollars an hour working full-time at Enersys."

Justine said she's had a lifetime goal of owning her own home and it "now seems tangible with the money-saving principals and goals" she's learning at First Step Housing.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Neighbors Helping Neighbors" is the theme for this year's fundraising campaign.

"It's something our community and the United Way have been doing since 1953," Erica Berges, United Way executive director said.

"Some of these neighbors are our partner agencies, the ones that are there for those who need help. They've provided services to thousands of neighbors, year after year."&nbsp;

Some of the agencies have seen "substantial increases" in aid requests "in just the past couple months," Berges noted. "So the need is still out there, more than ever."

There are 15 United Way of Ellis County 2022 Partner Agencies:

*Western Kansas Association on the Concerns of the Disabled (WKACD) *Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) *Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center (WKCAC) *Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation *Cancer Council of Ellis County *Parents and Children Together (PACT) *Center for Life Experience *Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) *CASA of the High Plains *American Red Cross&nbsp; *Hays Senior Center *Catholic Charities *First Call for Help (FCFH) *Salvation Army *Options

There are several ways to donate money to the United Way. Details are available on the agency's <a href="https://www.liveunited.us/?fbclid=IwAR2vSZkz-P1sUH0eOmJTTWtKpJQOgWXmjms3CHGCkaxsKsfUNh21xX4iMrU">website</a>.&nbsp;

Editor's note: Becky Kiser is a board member of the United Way of Ellis County.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661914076530.jpeg" alt="Brochure for the 2022 United Way of Ellis County fundraising campaign featuring the new logo design by Brandon Karlin.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Brochure for the 2022 United Way of Ellis County fundraising campaign featuring the new logo design by Brandon Karlin.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostA new logo, a new home, and a new fundraising campaign.It's been a busy summer for the United Way of Ellis County which kicked off its 2022 campaign Friday during a Hays Chamber lunch at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall in Hays.On Tuesday, the United Way offices moved from the Hadley Center to the Chestnut Street Building, 1200 Main. United Way will be housed in Suite 102, near the offices for other local non-profit organizations including Heartland Community Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Downtown Hays Development Corporation.In early July, the new local logo designed by&nbsp;Brandon Karlin was unveiled and is included in the campaign marketing information.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661913697637.jpeg" alt="The new United Way of Ellis County logo debuted during the 2022 fundraising campaign. (Courtesy United Way of Ellis County )" />
 <figcaption>The new United Way of Ellis County logo debuted during the 2022 fundraising campaign. (Courtesy United Way of Ellis County )</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661913548267.jpeg" alt="Brandon Karlin, winner of a design contest for the United Way of Ellis County new logo unveiled in July. (United Way of Ellis County photo)" />
 <figcaption>Brandon Karlin, winner of a design contest for the United Way of Ellis County new logo unveiled in July. (United Way of Ellis County photo)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661923879391.jpeg" alt="Paula Flesher, Cancer Council of Ellis County exec. dir., with Pam, whose son Tyler&nbsp; has a brain tumor. The Cancer Council has paid for a special brace and shoes which help Tyler walk and drive.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Paula Flesher, Cancer Council of Ellis County exec. dir., with Pam, whose son Tyler&nbsp; has a brain tumor. The Cancer Council has paid for a special brace and shoes which help Tyler walk and drive.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>During the kickoff lunch, several Ellis County residents whose lives have been changed with support from Big Brothers Big Sisters, First Call for Help, and Cancer Council of Ellis County, told their uplifting stories.Justine is a client of First Call for Help and a resident of <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f4275259-f0d0-4be5-a159-5b7f0dd64e43">First Step Housing.</a>The housing for temporary residents is in the back of the FCFH office building, 607 E. 13th.There are four bedrooms with private bathrooms, and a shared living area, kitchen and laundry.&nbsp;&nbsp;With FCFH director Linda Mills by her side, Justine talked about her journey from jail and the loss of all her possessions to now being employed, paying fines, and saving money to buy a vehicle.&nbsp;"First Step was my first break," Justine told the audience," and I couldn't have been more thankful.&nbsp; It's the perfect place for me to start over in my own hometown."A few months ago I had nothing but the clothes on my back and the shoes on my feet. I'm now currently making more than $20 dollars an hour working full-time at Enersys."Justine said she's had a lifetime goal of owning her own home and it "now seems tangible with the money-saving principals and goals" she's learning at First Step Housing.&nbsp;&nbsp;<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/MqYDs3vz-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Justine" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661923054641.jpeg" alt="Erica Berges, United Way of Ellis County executive director, at Friday's campaign kickoff.&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Erica Berges, United Way of Ellis County executive director, at Friday's campaign kickoff.&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>"Neighbors Helping Neighbors" is the theme for this year's fundraising campaign."It's something our community and the United Way have been doing since 1953," Erica Berges, United Way executive director said."Some of these neighbors are our partner agencies, the ones that are there for those who need help. They've provided services to thousands of neighbors, year after year."&nbsp;Some of the agencies have seen "substantial increases" in aid requests "in just the past couple months," Berges noted. "So the need is still out there, more than ever."There are 15 United Way of Ellis County 2022 Partner Agencies:*Western Kansas Association on the Concerns of the Disabled (WKACD) *Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) *Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center (WKCAC) *Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation *Cancer Council of Ellis County *Parents and Children Together (PACT) *Center for Life Experience *Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) *CASA of the High Plains *American Red Cross&nbsp; *Hays Senior Center *Catholic Charities *First Call for Help (FCFH) *Salvation Army *OptionsThere are several ways to donate money to the United Way. Details are available on the agency's <a href="https://www.liveunited.us/?fbclid=IwAR2vSZkz-P1sUH0eOmJTTWtKpJQOgWXmjms3CHGCkaxsKsfUNh21xX4iMrU">website</a>.&nbsp;Editor's note: Becky Kiser is a board member of the United Way of Ellis County.&nbsp;

🎥 'Neighbors helping neighbors': United Way of Ellis Co. kicks off annual fundraising campaign 

Fort Hays State University, the Tiger Fitness Center and local first responders will host the second annual 9/11 Memorial Event and Stair Climb on Saturday, Sept. 10. The event, held at Lewis Field on the campus of Fort Hays State University, begins at 7:46 a.m.&nbsp;

All ages are welcome at the event, with a brief memorial ceremony taking place ahead of the stair climb or walk. The memorial will highlight the sacrifices of first responders who put others first during the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and on Flight 93.&nbsp;

Participants are encouraged to attend the memorial event and participate in as much, or as little of the stair climb or walk as preferred, to honor first responders and reflect on the events from Sept. 11, 2001. The FHSU track will be open and available for participants that do not wish to climb stairs.&nbsp;

Check-in begins at 7 a.m., with the official start time aligning with the moment the first tower was struck.

Pre-register <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScB1WSV39NJnlfA4D7NhpoBsN00_BwZAnu1KPm6QxWBX4X6iw/viewform?vc=0&amp;c=0&amp;w=1&amp;flr=0">HERE</a>.

Facebook Event:&nbsp;<a href="https://fb.me/e/4QlZWu44k">https://fb.me/e/4QlZWu44k</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661796164379.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News releaseFort Hays State University, the Tiger Fitness Center and local first responders will host the second annual 9/11 Memorial Event and Stair Climb on Saturday, Sept. 10. The event, held at Lewis Field on the campus of Fort Hays State University, begins at 7:46 a.m.&nbsp;All ages are welcome at the event, with a brief memorial ceremony taking place ahead of the stair climb or walk. The memorial will highlight the sacrifices of first responders who put others first during the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and on Flight 93.&nbsp;Participants are encouraged to attend the memorial event and participate in as much, or as little of the stair climb or walk as preferred, to honor first responders and reflect on the events from Sept. 11, 2001. The FHSU track will be open and available for participants that do not wish to climb stairs.&nbsp;Check-in begins at 7 a.m., with the official start time aligning with the moment the first tower was struck.Pre-register <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScB1WSV39NJnlfA4D7NhpoBsN00_BwZAnu1KPm6QxWBX4X6iw/viewform?vc=0&amp;c=0&amp;w=1&amp;flr=0">HERE</a>.Facebook Event:&nbsp;<a href="https://fb.me/e/4QlZWu44k">https://fb.me/e/4QlZWu44k</a>&nbsp;

9/11 Memorial Event, Stair Club scheduled at Lewis Field

The government awarded $560 million in grants to 24 states to plug abandoned oil and gas wells, including several in our area. The Kansas Corporation Commission last week announced its plans for the first $25 million from last year's infrastructure bill. The eight target projects include 31 abandoned wells in Russell, Osborne and Rooks counties, and another 22 wells in Pratt and Barber counties. The KCC is expecting future grants adding another $33 million to the state's well-plugging fund, which has already plugged more than 11,000 wells. The first eight target projects include plans to plug a total of 2,352 wells. Of those, 2,247 are in eastern Kansas. There are also 52 wells in projects at or near the Colorado border. According to the announcement, this is only a partial solution. The state will still need to collect industry fees to pay for continuing efforts to find and plug abandoned wells. Kansas operators completed 29 wells last week. According to Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service, that's 1,033 so far this year. The weekly tally of 13 completions west of Wichita includes one in Barton County and one in Ellis County. Regulators in Kansas okayed 36 new drilling locations, with one in Russell County among 13 new permits west of Wichita. The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes reached 765 rigs, up four oil rigs nationwide. Texas was up two for the week. Drilling was underway on three leases in Ellis County on Friday. Operators were about to spud new wells in Russell and Stafford counties. The Rig Count in Kansas showed 26 active rigs in the eastern half of the state, and 34 west of Wichita. Scouting reports from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service show 475 wells in various stages of drilling and completion across Kansas, nearly 64% more than at this time last year. So far this year, 206 Kansas operators have spudded 972 wells, up nearly 60% compared to a year ago. The government reported a 3.3 million barrel decline in US crude inventories, on the heels of a seven-million barrel dip the week before. The Energy Information Administration says U.S. crude inventories on August 19th were about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year. US crude production dropped by 106,000 barrels per day last week. The tally for the week through Aug. 19 was 9,000 barrels above 12 million per day. According to a government report, that's 586,000 barrels per day more than the same week last year. Imports averaged 6.2 million barrels per day, up 40,000 barrels per day from the week before. EIA says that's nearly two percent higher than last year, based on the four week average. The government says members of OPEC are fast returning to the huge oil revenues of yesteryear. The Energy Information Administration predicts cartel members will earn about $842 billion in oil export revenues this year, nearly 50% higher than last year. EIA says that would be their best result in inflation-adjusted revenue since 2014. Oil-by-rail shipments were down slightly last week. The Association of American Railroads reports 9,681 petroleum tanker carloads during the week through August 20th, down 51 carloads for the week and 6.1% less than a year ago. Traffic in Canada was down more than 300 carloads for the week. The tally is one-tenth of 1 percent higher than last year at this time.&nbsp; President Joe Biden won temporary permission to once again pause energy leasing on federal lands and waters. A U.S. appeals court found the trial judge’s order against the moratorium too vague to review. The appeals court last week threw out the judge’s nationwide injunction forcing a restart of leasing from the Gulf of Mexico to Alaska. That judge must now revisit the issue, and in the meantime, Biden’s pause stands. The ruling came in a dispute between the administration and 13 energy-producing states led by Louisiana that sued to force Biden to resume leasing he paused a week after taking office. After the lower court last year issued its preliminary injunction against the leasing moratorium, the government appealed. Saudi Aramco posted the biggest quarterly adjusted profit of any listed company on earth, driven by high crude prices and robust production. Aramco followed big oil rivals reporting a surge in profits. Net income rose to $48.4 billion in the second quarter, up from $25.5 billion a year earlier, according to a company announcement. Its free cash flow rose by 53% to $34.6 billion. The company is using the windfall to reduce debt and invest in a huge expansion of its production capacity. Bloomberg reports Aramco is betting demand will remain high even as the world looks to transition away from fossil fuels.&nbsp;

By JOHN P. TRETBARThe government awarded $560 million in grants to 24 states to plug abandoned oil and gas wells, including several in our area. The Kansas Corporation Commission last week announced its plans for the first $25 million from last year's infrastructure bill. The eight target projects include 31 abandoned wells in Russell, Osborne and Rooks counties, and another 22 wells in Pratt and Barber counties. The KCC is expecting future grants adding another $33 million to the state's well-plugging fund, which has already plugged more than 11,000 wells. The first eight target projects include plans to plug a total of 2,352 wells. Of those, 2,247 are in eastern Kansas. There are also 52 wells in projects at or near the Colorado border. According to the announcement, this is only a partial solution. The state will still need to collect industry fees to pay for continuing efforts to find and plug abandoned wells. Kansas operators completed 29 wells last week. According to Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service, that's 1,033 so far this year. The weekly tally of 13 completions west of Wichita includes one in Barton County and one in Ellis County. Regulators in Kansas okayed 36 new drilling locations, with one in Russell County among 13 new permits west of Wichita. The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes reached 765 rigs, up four oil rigs nationwide. Texas was up two for the week. Drilling was underway on three leases in Ellis County on Friday. Operators were about to spud new wells in Russell and Stafford counties. The Rig Count in Kansas showed 26 active rigs in the eastern half of the state, and 34 west of Wichita. Scouting reports from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service show 475 wells in various stages of drilling and completion across Kansas, nearly 64% more than at this time last year. So far this year, 206 Kansas operators have spudded 972 wells, up nearly 60% compared to a year ago. The government reported a 3.3 million barrel decline in US crude inventories, on the heels of a seven-million barrel dip the week before. The Energy Information Administration says U.S. crude inventories on August 19th were about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year. US crude production dropped by 106,000 barrels per day last week. The tally for the week through Aug. 19 was 9,000 barrels above 12 million per day. According to a government report, that's 586,000 barrels per day more than the same week last year. Imports averaged 6.2 million barrels per day, up 40,000 barrels per day from the week before. EIA says that's nearly two percent higher than last year, based on the four week average. The government says members of OPEC are fast returning to the huge oil revenues of yesteryear. The Energy Information Administration predicts cartel members will earn about $842 billion in oil export revenues this year, nearly 50% higher than last year. EIA says that would be their best result in inflation-adjusted revenue since 2014. Oil-by-rail shipments were down slightly last week. The Association of American Railroads reports 9,681 petroleum tanker carloads during the week through August 20th, down 51 carloads for the week and 6.1% less than a year ago. Traffic in Canada was down more than 300 carloads for the week. The tally is one-tenth of 1 percent higher than last year at this time.&nbsp; President Joe Biden won temporary permission to once again pause energy leasing on federal lands and waters. A U.S. appeals court found the trial judge’s order against the moratorium too vague to review. The appeals court last week threw out the judge’s nationwide injunction forcing a restart of leasing from the Gulf of Mexico to Alaska. That judge must now revisit the issue, and in the meantime, Biden’s pause stands. The ruling came in a dispute between the administration and 13 energy-producing states led by Louisiana that sued to force Biden to resume leasing he paused a week after taking office. After the lower court last year issued its preliminary injunction against the leasing moratorium, the government appealed. Saudi Aramco posted the biggest quarterly adjusted profit of any listed company on earth, driven by high crude prices and robust production. Aramco followed big oil rivals reporting a surge in profits. Net income rose to $48.4 billion in the second quarter, up from $25.5 billion a year earlier, according to a company announcement. Its free cash flow rose by 53% to $34.6 billion. The company is using the windfall to reduce debt and invest in a huge expansion of its production capacity. Bloomberg reports Aramco is betting demand will remain high even as the world looks to transition away from fossil fuels.&nbsp;

News From the Oil Patch: Federal grants to help plug abandoned wells

Water is the 
building block of life. And of economic development according to Russell
 Rural Water District 3 Manager Jamie Tomlinson. On the job for two 
years, Tomlinson is now overseeing a $7.2 million overhaul that will 
affect customers in four counties. A secondary project will eliminate 
Barton County Rural Water District 1 as it is absorbed into the Russell 
district.

The Russell water district originated in the city of 
Russell in 1973 and has since moved to Susank. The district serves more 
than 2,000 customers in southern Russell, northern Barton, eastern Rush 
counties, and one customer in Ellis County. The big project will set new
 line beside current lines that are crumbling.

"The plastic that 
was used in the 70s and 80s was much thinner then," Tomlinson said. 
"Because of the terrain and how it was laid in the ground, the movement 
of the ground and rocks, it's tearing the pipes up. We primary have 275 
miles of rural water lines. Our infrastructure is going to take and redo
 approximately 115 miles of that."

Water conservation is important
 locally and nationally, and tests showed the Russell district was 
losing nearly half of its water before it reached customers. The federal
 government stepped in with a way to solve the problem.

"Three to 
four years prior to me becoming manager, they started a study on 
actually how much water loss the system was getting," said Tomlinson. 
"It varied between 35 and 45 percent of the water we purchase from the 
city of Otis was being lost in the system before it gets to the 
customers. That was enough to where the rural development of USDA was 
able to assign us a loan for $5 million for a 4o-year payoff. We have a 
$2.2 million grant attached to that."

The overhaul includes new lines in the ground, a larger water tower 
north of Galatia, and a larger standpipe installed in Beaver. The new 
system will not affect water quality to customers, but will improve 
pressure.

"A lot of the times right now, if we have a leak in the 
system and have to turn off a certain portion, the pressure will drop in
 another area of the system," Tomlinson said. "We'll be able to repair 
lines without any loss of pressure to anybody else within the system."

At
 last Wednesday's Barton County Commission meeting, Tomlinson and Barton
 County Rural Water District 3 Treasurer Mary Anne Stoskopf asked the 
county for $130,000 to assist with the replacement of eight miles of 
lines connecting the Russell and Barton County districts. The commission
 agreed to contribute $65,000. Tomlinson said providing reliable water 
to rural areas is a must for establishing residences and businesses in 
those areas and building that tax base.

Tomlinson said the plan is
 still awaiting approval from the state engineer's office. Once started,
 it will take approximately a year to replace the dilapidated lines. The
 revamped district will purchase water from Otis with the city of Hoisington as a secondary source, and 
eliminate the radium problem in Bunker Hill.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661870512099.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>Water is the 
building block of life. And of economic development according to Russell
 Rural Water District 3 Manager Jamie Tomlinson. On the job for two 
years, Tomlinson is now overseeing a $7.2 million overhaul that will 
affect customers in four counties. A secondary project will eliminate 
Barton County Rural Water District 1 as it is absorbed into the Russell 
district.The Russell water district originated in the city of 
Russell in 1973 and has since moved to Susank. The district serves more 
than 2,000 customers in southern Russell, northern Barton, eastern Rush 
counties, and one customer in Ellis County. The big project will set new
 line beside current lines that are crumbling."The plastic that 
was used in the 70s and 80s was much thinner then," Tomlinson said. 
"Because of the terrain and how it was laid in the ground, the movement 
of the ground and rocks, it's tearing the pipes up. We primary have 275 
miles of rural water lines. Our infrastructure is going to take and redo
 approximately 115 miles of that."Water conservation is important
 locally and nationally, and tests showed the Russell district was 
losing nearly half of its water before it reached customers. The federal
 government stepped in with a way to solve the problem."Three to 
four years prior to me becoming manager, they started a study on 
actually how much water loss the system was getting," said Tomlinson. 
"It varied between 35 and 45 percent of the water we purchase from the 
city of Otis was being lost in the system before it gets to the 
customers. That was enough to where the rural development of USDA was 
able to assign us a loan for $5 million for a 4o-year payoff. We have a 
$2.2 million grant attached to that."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661870551922.jpeg" alt="Damaged water lines led to a 35-45 percent loss in water purchased before it reached customers." />
 <figcaption>Damaged water lines led to a 35-45 percent loss in water purchased before it reached customers.</figcaption>
 </figure>The overhaul includes new lines in the ground, a larger water tower 
north of Galatia, and a larger standpipe installed in Beaver. The new 
system will not affect water quality to customers, but will improve 
pressure."A lot of the times right now, if we have a leak in the 
system and have to turn off a certain portion, the pressure will drop in
 another area of the system," Tomlinson said. "We'll be able to repair 
lines without any loss of pressure to anybody else within the system."At
 last Wednesday's Barton County Commission meeting, Tomlinson and Barton
 County Rural Water District 3 Treasurer Mary Anne Stoskopf asked the 
county for $130,000 to assist with the replacement of eight miles of 
lines connecting the Russell and Barton County districts. The commission
 agreed to contribute $65,000. Tomlinson said providing reliable water 
to rural areas is a must for establishing residences and businesses in 
those areas and building that tax base.Tomlinson said the plan is
 still awaiting approval from the state engineer's office. Once started,
 it will take approximately a year to replace the dilapidated lines. The
 revamped district will purchase water from Otis with the city of Hoisington as a secondary source, and 
eliminate the radium problem in Bunker Hill.

Russell water district planning $7.2M overhaul of system

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661874907344.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast click here.</a>

By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau The biggest bets aren’t made at a card table, racetrack or during the Super Bowl. Instead, they happen every day on farms and ranches across the country. While most bettors place their hopes (and a few dollars) on a single event, those who grow our food face a successive series of wagers with the fate of the farm in the balance. It takes a lot of optimism to grow a crop from seed or raise an animal from birth when so much is often out of your control. Perils from Mother Nature abound — heat, cold, drought, flood, insects, diseases, storms and fires are just some of the potentially devastating events that can cause a bet to go south. Even if you successfully navigate all of those, you may still find yourself receiving a payout that doesn’t seem to justify all the risk, let alone the expense of production. Resolve is necessary in a business where just breaking even sometimes counts as a remarkable achievement. Not losing everything means you get to stay at the table. There’s always a reason that next year will be better, fewer repairs needed, better weather, higher prices and so on. Thankfully, farmers and ranchers have access to risk management tools and other programs through the farm bill. Their jobs still take plenty of optimism, resolve and courage, but it makes the lean years a little more bearable. With work on the 2023 farm bill already underway, it’s important to remember the difficulties that come with food production. The farm bill doesn’t just offer protection for farmers and ranchers, it’s also a national security package. A robust domestic food supply strengthens our country while offering consumers the benefit of high-quality, affordable food. The farm bill’s nutrition component provides help to&nbsp;our most vulnerable brethren. Other aspects of the bill fund conservation programs and make investments in agricultural research. The farm bill has a long history of broad, bipartisan support in Congress because it comprehensively addresses the threats inherent in producing food. Cynics like to claim it merely buys votes with programs aimed at both rural (crop insurance) and urban populations (nutrition programs), but the two are linked. This is something the skeptics misunderstand. What happens at farm level can’t be separated from the food going to towns and cities. The unity of nutrition and farm programs has been one of the greatest successes of the farm bill, and it should be the bedrock of the upcoming legislation. These safety nets don’t eliminate all the risks that come with production agriculture, but they do tilt the odds ever so slightly. Just as homeowners buy insurance hoping it’s never needed; farmers don’t plant a crop with the intention of it failing. Similarly, nobody sets out with the goal of needing the nutrition programs offered under the farm bill. Farming will always be a big gamble. The safest bet the rest of us can make is ensuring those who grow and raise the food we eat have the tools they need to continue providing us with healthy, safe, nutritious and affordable food for years to come.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574694551876.png" alt="Greg Doering&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Greg Doering&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau The biggest bets aren’t made at a card table, racetrack or during the Super Bowl. Instead, they happen every day on farms and ranches across the country. While most bettors place their hopes (and a few dollars) on a single event, those who grow our food face a successive series of wagers with the fate of the farm in the balance. It takes a lot of optimism to grow a crop from seed or raise an animal from birth when so much is often out of your control. Perils from Mother Nature abound — heat, cold, drought, flood, insects, diseases, storms and fires are just some of the potentially devastating events that can cause a bet to go south. Even if you successfully navigate all of those, you may still find yourself receiving a payout that doesn’t seem to justify all the risk, let alone the expense of production. Resolve is necessary in a business where just breaking even sometimes counts as a remarkable achievement. Not losing everything means you get to stay at the table. There’s always a reason that next year will be better, fewer repairs needed, better weather, higher prices and so on. Thankfully, farmers and ranchers have access to risk management tools and other programs through the farm bill. Their jobs still take plenty of optimism, resolve and courage, but it makes the lean years a little more bearable. With work on the 2023 farm bill already underway, it’s important to remember the difficulties that come with food production. The farm bill doesn’t just offer protection for farmers and ranchers, it’s also a national security package. A robust domestic food supply strengthens our country while offering consumers the benefit of high-quality, affordable food. The farm bill’s nutrition component provides help to&nbsp;our most vulnerable brethren. Other aspects of the bill fund conservation programs and make investments in agricultural research. The farm bill has a long history of broad, bipartisan support in Congress because it comprehensively addresses the threats inherent in producing food. Cynics like to claim it merely buys votes with programs aimed at both rural (crop insurance) and urban populations (nutrition programs), but the two are linked. This is something the skeptics misunderstand. What happens at farm level can’t be separated from the food going to towns and cities. The unity of nutrition and farm programs has been one of the greatest successes of the farm bill, and it should be the bedrock of the upcoming legislation. These safety nets don’t eliminate all the risks that come with production agriculture, but they do tilt the odds ever so slightly. Just as homeowners buy insurance hoping it’s never needed; farmers don’t plant a crop with the intention of it failing. Similarly, nobody sets out with the goal of needing the nutrition programs offered under the farm bill. Farming will always be a big gamble. The safest bet the rest of us can make is ensuring those who grow and raise the food we eat have the tools they need to continue providing us with healthy, safe, nutritious and affordable food for years to come."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Betting on the farm

The Hays Police Department is asking the public's assistance in identifying the person in the above photos, according to a<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HaysPD"> social media post</a> about 10 p.m. Tuesday.

If you have any information or can help identify this person, contact Officer Broadway with Hays PD at 785-625-1030.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661915296115.jpeg" alt="Hays police are asking for the public's help in identifying the person in these photos. (Courtesy photos)" />
 <figcaption>Hays police are asking for the public's help in identifying the person in these photos. (Courtesy photos)</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Police Dept.The Hays Police Department is asking the public's assistance in identifying the person in the above photos, according to a<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HaysPD"> social media post</a> about 10 p.m. Tuesday.If you have any information or can help identify this person, contact Officer Broadway with Hays PD at 785-625-1030.

Hays PD asks for public's help identifying male person of interest

ELLIS COUNTY—A Kansas teen was injured in an accident just before 7a.m. Tuesday in Ellis County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Ford Fusion driven by Jesse A. Lopez, 18, Dodge City was eastbound on Interstate 70 at Toulon Avenue.

The car left the roadway, struck a KDOT sign, continued in the south ditch, struck a concrete culvert and a second KDOT sign.&nbsp; EMS transported Lopez to Hays Medical Center. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

ELLIS COUNTY—A Kansas teen was injured in an accident just before 7a.m. Tuesday in Ellis County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Ford Fusion driven by Jesse A. Lopez, 18, Dodge City was eastbound on Interstate 70 at Toulon Avenue.The car left the roadway, struck a KDOT sign, continued in the south ditch, struck a concrete culvert and a second KDOT sign.&nbsp; EMS transported Lopez to Hays Medical Center. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kan. teen hospitalized after car strikes KDOT signs on I-70

Three minor earthquakes were reported in eastern Graham County early Tuesday morning.

The Kansas Geological Survey recorded three quakes with magnitudes of 2.1, 2.6 and 2.7 within minutes of each other just before 5 a.m. near the Graham-Rooks county line.

There have been 13 measurable earthquakes in northwest Kansas in August, according to KGS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661868570775.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Three minor earthquakes were reported in eastern Graham County early Tuesday morning.The Kansas Geological Survey recorded three quakes with magnitudes of 2.1, 2.6 and 2.7 within minutes of each other just before 5 a.m. near the Graham-Rooks county line.There have been 13 measurable earthquakes in northwest Kansas in August, according to KGS.

Three quakes within moments Tuesday morning in Graham Co.

🎥 🏈Watch This Week's Tiger Talk

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Your neighbor has trash piled up around his yard, grass up to your knees.

In most incorporated cities, local governments have nuisance abatement ordinances on the books that require property owners to keep their properties cleaned up and vegetation under control.

If property owners don't comply with requests to clean up properties, cities can usually have the cleanup done and charge the property owners for the expense.

However, if you live in an unincorporated area of Kansas under the jurisdiction of your local county, you can't get such relief.

A group of neighbors in Walker, which is an unincorporated community in Ellis County, recently came to the Ellis County Commission complaining about a couple of properties that they said had trash and clutter on them.

Bill Jeter, longtime county counselor, told the residents the county had conducted nuisance abatements for years — until a 2012 appellate court ruling involving a Cowley County case.

A Kansas appellate court in 2012 ruled counties don't have the power to enforce nuisance ordinances based on a case in Cowley County, Barnes V. Cowley County Board of Commissioners.

Jeter explained, at this point, there was little the county could do.

Nuisance abatements can be quite costly, depending on the size of the property and the extent of the cleanup. In the Barnes case, Cowley County billed the Barnes' $11,740 for the cleanup of a 14-acre tract.

The county filed a tax lien against the Barnes' property for the cleanup expenses.

The court ruled counties could only enforce resolutions through injunction, fine, confinement in jail, or both fine and confinement. 

Jeter told the commission property owners could be held liable for violating health and safety regulations, which would be a misdemeanor crime that would be filed by the county attorney's office. However, there's nothing a county commission can do to clean up properties.

The Walker residents were concerned about fire risk, as one of the properties had a recent fire. 

Van Froelich, neighbor, said he was also concerned about rodents.

Commissioner Neal Younger urged the neighbors to try to document rodent activity, including skunks, and to contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for possible relief under health codes.

Froelich said he was aware of the Cowley County case.

"We feel it's a nuisance. It's a hazard. I don't know where we can fall under to get it cleaned up," he said. 

Walker is served by volunteer rural fire out of Gorham, and firefighters have a much slower response time than city departments.

Darin Myers, county administrator and Ellis County fire chief, said danger of fire in rural areas of the county are significant. Firefighters would likely have at least a 10-minute response time to Walker. 

If the wind was strong and blowing in an unfavorable direction, fire could spread quickly and threaten homes, he said.

Myers said he would write a letter to the property owners and pay them a visit in person. He said he was unsure if that would do any good.

Commission Chairman Butch Schlyer added, "We can't do a lot. That's the predicament we're in. We had a very nice nuisance abatement policy. It was very specific with what we could and couldn't do. We just tore it up in 2012 as Jeter referred to."

Myers said in a follow-up interview some members of the Kansas Association of Counties had expressed interest in lobbying for legislation that would grant counties home rule. That would allow Kansas counties to again enforce nuisance regulations.

However, he said the association received much pushback from the owners of agriculture properties and owners of land being used for oil production. They expressed concerns about being unable to upkeep their properties to county standards.

Myers said the pushback was intense enough that the association took the home rule issue off of its legislative agenda within the last year.

Small communities such as Walker have the option to incorporate, but both Froelich and Younger, who also lives in an unincorporated community, Munjor, said that can be an uphill battle.

Froelich said, "The good guy has no justice at all. It's the bad people who can do anything."

Myers said the property owners in question in Walker had voluntarily made some progress in cleanup since the county meeting on Aug. 15.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostYour neighbor has trash piled up around his yard, grass up to your knees.In most incorporated cities, local governments have nuisance abatement ordinances on the books that require property owners to keep their properties cleaned up and vegetation under control.If property owners don't comply with requests to clean up properties, cities can usually have the cleanup done and charge the property owners for the expense. However, if you live in an unincorporated area of Kansas under the jurisdiction of your local county, you can't get such relief.A group of neighbors in Walker, which is an unincorporated community in Ellis County, recently came to the Ellis County Commission complaining about a couple of properties that they said had trash and clutter on them.Bill Jeter, longtime county counselor, told the residents the county had conducted nuisance abatements for years — until a 2012 appellate court ruling involving a Cowley County case.A Kansas appellate court in 2012 ruled counties don't have the power to enforce nuisance ordinances based on a case in Cowley County, Barnes V. Cowley County Board of Commissioners.Jeter explained, at this point, there was little the county could do.Nuisance abatements can be quite costly, depending on the size of the property and the extent of the cleanup. In the Barnes case, Cowley County billed the Barnes' $11,740 for the cleanup of a 14-acre tract.The county filed a tax lien against the Barnes' property for the cleanup expenses.The court ruled counties could only enforce resolutions through injunction, fine, confinement in jail, or both fine and confinement. Jeter told the commission property owners could be held liable for violating health and safety regulations, which would be a misdemeanor crime that would be filed by the county attorney's office. However, there's nothing a county commission can do to clean up properties.The Walker residents were concerned about fire risk, as one of the properties had a recent fire. Van Froelich, neighbor, said he was also concerned about rodents.Commissioner Neal Younger urged the neighbors to try to document rodent activity, including skunks, and to contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for possible relief under health codes.Froelich said he was aware of the Cowley County case."We feel it's a nuisance. It's a hazard. I don't know where we can fall under to get it cleaned up," he said. Walker is served by volunteer rural fire out of Gorham, and firefighters have a much slower response time than city departments.Darin Myers, county administrator and Ellis County fire chief, said danger of fire in rural areas of the county are significant. Firefighters would likely have at least a 10-minute response time to Walker. If the wind was strong and blowing in an unfavorable direction, fire could spread quickly and threaten homes, he said.Myers said he would write a letter to the property owners and pay them a visit in person. He said he was unsure if that would do any good.Commission Chairman Butch Schlyer added, "We can't do a lot. That's the predicament we're in. We had a very nice nuisance abatement policy. It was very specific with what we could and couldn't do. We just tore it up in 2012 as Jeter referred to."Myers said in a follow-up interview some members of the Kansas Association of Counties had expressed interest in lobbying for legislation that would grant counties home rule. That would allow Kansas counties to again enforce nuisance regulations.However, he said the association received much pushback from the owners of agriculture properties and owners of land being used for oil production. They expressed concerns about being unable to upkeep their properties to county standards.Myers said the pushback was intense enough that the association took the home rule issue off of its legislative agenda within the last year. Small communities such as Walker have the option to incorporate, but both Froelich and Younger, who also lives in an unincorporated community, Munjor, said that can be an uphill battle.Froelich said, "The good guy has no justice at all. It's the bad people who can do anything."Myers said the property owners in question in Walker had voluntarily made some progress in cleanup since the county meeting on Aug. 15. Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay

Ellis Co. neighbors frustrated; counties unable to address nuisances

An optometrist from Colby has taken over the practice of Dr. Kendall Krug of Hays. Krug spent 32 of his 37 years as an optometrist practicing in Hays.

Dr. Mark Wahlmeier, 49, took over the practice as of Aug. 1.

Wahlmeier received his eye training form the University of Missouri St. Louis School of Optometry, graduating in 2000. He is licensed to practice in Kansas.

He most recently worked at Vision Source of Colby, Goodland, Burlington, Atwood and St. Francis. 

Krug was a low-vision specialist. Wahlmeier works in general optometry, including the treatment of glaucoma and cataracts.

Wahlmeier and his wife, Amanda, both graduated from Fort Hays State University, two of their children have graduated from FHSU and one child is attending FHSU. Their fourth child is still in high school.

"We thought with most of the family down this way, this might be a good transition to look at," he said. "We wanted to get closer to our kids and family that is back here."

The family also enjoys weekends at Wilson Lake, and Hays is closer to that favorite leisure spot.

Wahlmeier said he looks forward to becoming active in the community. He is a past member of the Thomas County Community Foundation and Rotary.

Wahlmeier will be transferring Krug's patients to his care, as well as accepting new patients.

He will continue to operate from Krug's former location at 2203 Canterbury, but under the new name Vision Source of Hays. Krug's staff has stayed on with the new doctor.

The clinic is in the process of getting credentialed for both Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicare.

Hours at the clinic will be 8 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays.

The Wahlmeiers have added 500 new frames to their inventory since taking over the practice. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661372800841.jpeg" alt="Dr. Mark Wahlmeier " />
 <figcaption>Dr. Mark Wahlmeier </figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostAn optometrist from Colby has taken over the practice of Dr. Kendall Krug of Hays. Krug spent 32 of his 37 years as an optometrist practicing in Hays.Dr. Mark Wahlmeier, 49, took over the practice as of Aug. 1.Wahlmeier received his eye training form the University of Missouri St. Louis School of Optometry, graduating in 2000. He is licensed to practice in Kansas.He most recently worked at Vision Source of Colby, Goodland, Burlington, Atwood and St. Francis. Krug was a low-vision specialist. Wahlmeier works in general optometry, including the treatment of glaucoma and cataracts. Wahlmeier and his wife, Amanda, both graduated from Fort Hays State University, two of their children have graduated from FHSU and one child is attending FHSU. Their fourth child is still in high school. "We thought with most of the family down this way, this might be a good transition to look at," he said. "We wanted to get closer to our kids and family that is back here."The family also enjoys weekends at Wilson Lake, and Hays is closer to that favorite leisure spot.Wahlmeier said he looks forward to becoming active in the community. He is a past member of the Thomas County Community Foundation and Rotary. Wahlmeier will be transferring Krug's patients to his care, as well as accepting new patients.He will continue to operate from Krug's former location at 2203 Canterbury, but under the new name Vision Source of Hays. Krug's staff has stayed on with the new doctor.The clinic is in the process of getting credentialed for both Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicare. Hours at the clinic will be 8 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays. The Wahlmeiers have added 500 new frames to their inventory since taking over the practice. Vision Source's optician will be the Wahlmeier's daughter, Kellyn Eck, who just graduated from Fort Hays State University. "I'm just excited to make this transition," Wahlmeier said. "I've been practicing for 22 years, and I feel like I have another 20 before I look to that next stage. I'm happy to be around family and join the Hays community." In a letter to patients, Krug said he plans to spend more time with his children and continue to provide vision impairment services for the Kansas State School for the Blind for students in the western half of the state. "I would like to thank Dr. Krug for the opportunity," Wahlmeier said. "He has had some very big shoes to fill. He has been a staple of the community for a long, long time. I feel very honored to try to help out. We will do our best to fill the legacy that he had."

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